Virgil van Dijk: Biography, Salary, and Liverpool Future

Virgil van Dijk’s journey from a late start in the Netherlands to becoming Liverpool’s captain and a Ballon d’Or runner-up is one of football’s most remarkable rises. In April 2025, he signed a new contract extending his time at Anfield beyond the 2024-25 season, the club announced.

Full name: Virgil van Dijk ·
Date of birth: 8 July 1991 ·
Height: 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) ·
Position: Centre-back ·
Current club: Liverpool

10 key facts, one pattern: Van Dijk’s profile is built on consistent elite performance and a recent contract that quiets exit rumors.

The implication: Van Dijk remains a top-tier asset, but the value reflects his age and contract length rather than ability.

Did Van Dijk have a Ballon d’Or?

Van Dijk was the runner-up for the Ballon d’Or in 2019, finishing behind Lionel Messi. He did not win the award. Liverpool FC notes that he was second in the voting, and Wikipedia also records that he was runner-up for both the Ballon d’Or and The Best FIFA Men’s Player that year.

The catch: being second in a year of Messi’s peak is still a remarkable achievement for a defender, a position rarely recognized in the top vote.

Will Van Dijk leave Liverpool in 2027?

Van Dijk’s current contract runs until 2025, but he signed a new deal in April 2025 that extends his stay beyond the 2024-25 season. He has stated he is happy at Liverpool, and speculation about a move after 2025 remains just that — speculation. Capology data shows that as of 2026, his contract was set to expire on 30 June 2027.

What this means: Liverpool secured its captain for the long term, but the 2027 date is a soft target — either party could trigger a change earlier if performance or ambitions shift.

How many children does Virgil van Dijk have?

Van Dijk has two children: a daughter and a son. He is married to Rike Nooitgedagt, whom he met in 2011; they married in summer 2017. The family lives in Liverpool, England. His height is 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in).

What does Virgil van Dijk’s wife do?

Rike Nooitgedagt is a model and entrepreneur. The couple have been together since 2011 and married in 2017.

Where does Van Dijk live now?

He resides in Liverpool, England, where he has been based since joining the club in 2018.

What is Van Dijk’s height?

His height is 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in), giving him a significant aerial advantage.

The pattern: Van Dijk’s personal life remains grounded — a long-term marriage, two children, and a stable home base in his club city.

How rich is Van Dijk?

Van Dijk’s weekly wage is estimated at around £220,000 according to Capology, which lists his 2024-25 gross salary as £11,440,000. Boardroom reports his 2022-23 salary at $13,795,584 per year and $265,300 per week, with gross career earnings of about $78,230,780. His net worth is estimated at $50 million, though this figure is not independently verified. Mohamed Salah is Liverpool’s highest-paid player, earning a reported £350,000 per week.

How much is Van Dijk paid a week?

Based on Capology data, his weekly earnings are approximately £220,000.

Who is Liverpool’s most paid player?

Mohamed Salah is the highest earner at Liverpool, with a weekly wage of about £350,000.

The trade-off: Van Dijk earns well below the top earner at his own club, reflecting the wage structure that prioritizes forwards, but his long-term contract and captaincy add intangible value.

How much did Klopp buy Van Dijk for?

Liverpool paid £75 million for Van Dijk in January 2018, a world-record fee for a defender at the time. The transfer was completed from Southampton, where he had signed for a reported £13 million in 2015.

What is Van Dijk’s contract length?

His initial contract with Liverpool was for six years, signed in January 2018. He later extended it, with the latest extension in April 2025 pushing the expiry beyond 2025.

The implication: the £75 million fee has been fully justified by the trophies and leadership he delivered, making it one of the most successful transfers in Premier League history.

“It’s a great honor to be among the best, but I always put the team first.”

— Virgil van Dijk, on his Ballon d’Or nomination

“He was the missing piece for our defense.”

— Jürgen Klopp, on signing Van Dijk

For Liverpool, the decision to extend Van Dijk’s contract in April 2025 was a clear signal: the club believes its captain still has the physical and mental edge to lead the defense into a new era. For Van Dijk, the choice is equally clear: he remains at a club where he is revered, earning a substantial salary, and chasing more silverware. The alternative — a move to a different league or a reduced role — would require a significant change in circumstances.

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